5 Tips to Help You Prepare for Your Photo Session

Preparing for a photo session can be a little stressful and overwhelming, this is especially true if the photo session is for your whole family!  With a little planning and preparation there's no need to get stressed, and you'll be able to better enjoy your session!

To help you out and hopefully reduce your stress, I've put together some tips and resources to get you, and your family, prepared for your photo session.

5 tips to help prepare for your photo session!

1.  What are you wearing?
Planning out what wear can be the biggest hassle, this is especially true if you've got to figure out what your family is going to wear.  To make figuring out your wardrobe a little easier, consider a couple of things:

• Where's your photo session?  Indoors, outdoors?  At the beach or in the park?
• What's the weather going to be like?  Warm, cool, cold? 
• Why are you having your photos taken? and What do you want these photos to say about you/your family?

Once you've thought about the answers to these questions, you've got a great place to start with putting together what you're going to wear.  Avoid the matchy-matchy clothing, instead opt for complimenting colors and style.  Also, make sure you're comfortable in the clothing; you'll look better in your photos when you aren't worried about tugging and pulling on your clothes.

For more, you can take a look at the Pinterest board I've put together just to help you out!  You'll find color schemes and clothing ideas here to make it easier to pick out the perfect wardrobe!

Client Photoshoot Prep - Pinterest

2.  What should you bring?
A familiar question, but one that some folks are a little scared to ask.  Besides yourself, I recommend bringing a few things to the session:

• Look at the weather, and bring a jacket, rain coat, and/or umbrella if necessary.
• Water and a snack is a definite plus, especially if you've got a younger child/toddler with you.  Taking a short break to re-fresh and re-energize can be easy when the snack is already onhand.
• An extra shirt and/or second outfit.  At a minimum, I recommend that extra shirt come along too.  Life happens and sometimes we spill stuff on ourselves or get splashed with mud, or whatever.  Having that extra shirt gives you that peace of mind knowing it's there if needed.
• A favorite blanket to sit on, and if you've got young kids with you a couple toys to distract and keep them smiling.
• If you have something that plays a huge role in you or your family's life bring it along.  For example, if you're family loves playing the guitar bring it along with you; or perhaps you're kids love that red wagon or blowing bubbles, bring them along.  Or perhaps it's that old car that's a big part of your family! 

If you have questions about what to bring, or have an idea but are unsure, talk to your photographer ahead of time.  If it's me, I'm open to any ideas you may have that will help make your session unique and fun!

3.  Prepare yourself mentally for the session​.
We've all got a hundred different things on our plate, it's easy to just bounce from one thing to the next.  Don't look at your session like just another thing on your plate or list, but as something that's going to be fun and memorable.

If the session is just for you, plan to bring a good (funny/energetic) friend with you to help keep you having fun and relaxed.
If the session is for your family, talk it up ahead of time and make it a special activity.  I mean it's not everyday you get have your very own photographer! 

4. ​Get plenty of sleep
Sleep, for many of us a great night's sleep is often an elusive thing, but getting a good night's sleep before a photo session can go a long way.  Being well rested will give you more energy, help you look better, and improve your mood.  If all else fails, and you're like me, don't be afraid to enjoy that cup (or 4) of coffee.

5.  ​Practice your pose.
Wait, what?!  Yes, that's right, practice your pose.  I hear to often folks say they don't like the way the look in pictures.  I think there are a couple of reasons for this: 

1. Body image issues.  We all don't like something about the way we look - too fat, too thin, acne, receding hair, wrinkles.  Whatever it is, it's the first thing we see in a photo of ourselves and immediately we don't like it.  
2. An uncomfortable pose.  A lot of photographers try to get the best photo with the best pose for the situation.  Not every pose is comfortable to everyone.  Our bodies are different, and so while the pose might look good our facial expressions can be strained because the pose is uncomfortable.

Practicing your pose ahead time to can address both issues to some degree.  You may feel weird doing it, but you'll appreciate it in the long run, and you'll be much happier with your photos when you see them.  Not to mention the photo session will feel a lot more natural.

Try the following, preferably in front of a mirror so you can watch yourself:

• Push your chin slightly forward and up to extend the line of your neck and reduce that "double-chin".
• Slightly turn your body with one foot pointing to the camera, and your weight on your back foot.
• Position your arm closest to the camera a little out from your body, or even put your hand on your hip.  This will help to keep that upper arm from looking "smashed" to your body and appearing "larger".
• Smile naturally!  If it helps, think of something that makes you smile; whatever you do, don't say "cheese!"

For more in depth posing tips, I suggest heading over to my Client Photoshoot Prep board on Pinterest.

Client Photoshoot Prep - Pinterest

Hopefully, these 5 tips will help you feel less stressed and more prepared for your photo session.  When in doubt or if you have questions, contact your photographer!  I know I'm always willing to help!  I want my clients to be relaxed and having fun throughout their session, and talking with your photographer ahead of time about any concerns and/or ideas you have can go along way to making that happen.

We aren't yet connected, I'd love to CONNECT with YOU.  Whether you're ready to book a session with me, or just want to say hi, I'd be honored to connect and get to know you.  You can connect with me on social media through the links at the bottom or the CONNECT link at the top of the page!